Review by Felix on January 6, 2021.

What on earth has happened to Pest? Is the band still ashamed of their last, lackluster album from 2013? That would be no mistake, but active repentance in the form of a new work, which would represent a return to the proven style and old strength, would be much better. Because that the band actually holds many, if not all trumps in the hand, they proved just before the low blow The Crowning Horror in the form of this 7". It presents two tracks and clocks in after eight minutes. No opulent release…

…but especially 'Black Oath' (pressed on the "Upper Side" of the record) leaves its mark. It's pretty minimalistic opening guitar creates an eerie mood in a matter of seconds and gloomy, almost psychopathic tones during the instrumental part reinforce this atmosphere effectively. The mid-tempo number tends in terms of style, but not in terms of quality to the feeble album from 2013. Everything works here. It’s not the most gruesome song the black metal movement has ever spawned, but it spreads the vibes of the genre.

On the vinyl's "Lower Side" appears 'Morbid Revelations'. It is recorded with an additional guitar player and attacks in a more hectic way. The nervous guitar lines are less catchy than those of 'Black Oath', but the song is also cleverly structured. The instrumentalists create many different parts, while the vocals convey a raw, slightly boozy note. Finally, the production shines with the tried and tested mix of filth, directness and vigour.

The release is well designed. The artwork fits the music, the lyrics are printed on the inner sleeve and holding black vinyl in my hands always feels good. People who like some dirty blackness with trace elements of traditional metal can go hunting for this gem. It's the last highlight of the group's discography up to now.

Rating: 7.7 out of 10

Review by JD on October 25, 2008.

This Goth/Metal duo us from the land down under...Melbourne Australia to be exact, and crosses my desk. Don’t know what their name actually means... but it surely gets attention right off the bat.

They seem to be musically very impressive and rather stunning... unfortunately they are a rather good mix of Evanescence with the musical heaviness of someone like Nightwish. Don’t get me wrong here, the lyrics that the lead vocalist, Kelly Lean comes up with are as poetic as any that I have heard, along with some punch... but her vocal style is not quite original.

Kelly Lean sounds almost exactly like how Amy Lee of Evanescence does to the point of being rather a spooky mirroring of her. The tone she holds, the power and even some of the phrasing that has been used musically... makes her sound very close to Miss Lee. I usually don’t like sound-a-likes at the best of times, they usually made me cringe at the best of times... but I found Temujin was able to rise over the comparisons and has started on the road to their own voice. I had always wanted the band Evanescence to have their music go way more heavy direction that what has been put out there, so I was so glad when I found that Temujin shows exactly how it could be.( Hey, Amy... check it out).

The music, although put together with a myriad of MIDI tools, computer enhancements and guest musicians..."1000 Tears" is a pretty solid album. Recording wise it suffers a little bit, but that is only minor. I hope Temujin becomes a full fledged band, with permanent players.... Two members are great... getting the right people and letting it all flow, would just make them better.

This gothic twosome is clearly going places, and the band can’t help but get better and better. I look forward to hearing the next album.... and hope that they have stepped out of the shadows of these other great bands to forge a style all of their own. It they did, I will be listening.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 6
Originality:7
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.5 out of 10